“Butcher of Bosnia” sentenced to life for genocide and war crimes

By Jay-Anna Mobbs

Justice has finally been awarded for those affected by the Srebrenica massacre as Ratko Mladic has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

On Wednesday, judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) found Mladic guilty on 10 counts including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity such as murder and deportation.

“For having committed these crimes, the chamber sentences Mr Ratko Mladic to life imprisonment,” presiding judge Alphons Orie said as applause took over the public gallery.

The verdict was long awaited by tens of thousands of victims.

Dozens gathered outside of the courtroom, clutching photos of loved ones who were either killed or are among the seven thousand still missing.

“Mladic will die in The Hague! I’m so happy that justice has been done!” said Nedziba Salihovic, who lost her husband, father and son in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

As the 74 year old entered the courtroom, a smile crossed his face as well as holding a thumbs-up, offering no sense of remorse.

However, “The Butcher of Bosnia” was not present in the final stages of court as he had to be removed for voicing accusations that the judges were lying.

“They are lying, you are lying. I don’t feel good,” Mladic shouted, as two UN security guards removed him to a nearby room to watch the verdict take place.

Approximately 100,000 people were killed, and 2.2 million displaced during the 1992-1995 war when ethnic rivalries took over Yugoslavia.

Mladic had intended to wipe out the Bosnian Muslim race in Srebrenica by murdering men and boys, and

forcibly removing the women, young children and elderly, suggested by Orie.

The Bosnian Serb forces under Mladic’s command were deemed “ruthless” and carried out “mass executions”, and showed “little or no respect for human life or dignity.”

The killings are said to be amongst the darkest episodes taken place within the crime, and is suggested to be the worst conflict on European ground since World War II.

Munira Subasic, president of the mother of Srebrenica Associate, said she was “partially satisfied” with the ruling.

“…they didn’t find him guilty of genocide in some villages,” Subasic said.

However, Chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz, said the verdict is a milestone for not only the court, but for international justice.